Independence Day Guide

It's the "holiday weekend," or at the very least, it's the weekend before the holiday. If you're looking to get a jump on the Fourth of July, here are some entertainment options for today:

* PLAY BALL. The Norfolk Tides, the top farm team of the New York Mets, host the Durham Bulls at 6:15 tonight at Harbor Park. It's the best baseball you can see without paying major-league prices. Tickets range from $6.50-$9 and are available at the ballpark, Ticketmaster outlets or any CI Travel location.Call 622-2222.

* NOW SHOWING. If you're a movie fan, or if you're just looking for some nice air conditioning, go out to the local cineplex and check out "A.I.," director Steven Spielberg's production of a film nurtured by now-deceased Stanley Kubrick about a little boy who is actually a robot -- or is that a robot that is actually a little boy? Other top films include the racing drama "Fast and Furious," the romantic epic "Pearl Harbor," and the video game-inspired hit "Tomb Raider."

* THEME PARK, WATER PARK. Busch Gardens and Water Country USA, both in Williamsburg, will be rocking throughout the summer. Busch Gardens has added Ireland to its European landscape this season, with all the food, music and culture that goes with it. And at Water Country, you can check out the spectacular new bird show between trips down the water slides. A three-day "flex ticket," which allows admission to both parks for three days, is available for $64.99. Call 253-3350.

* IN MUSEUMS NOW. The Virginia Air & Space Center in Hampton now features Robot Zoo, an interactive exhibit that uses animatronic animals to explain the principles of science and biology. Plus, the center opens its latest IMAX film, "Adventures in Wild California," this weekend. For information, call 727-0900. At the Virginia Living Museum, take the kids for a round of Safari Golf - - a combination of miniature golf and science textbook that everyone will enjoy. Call 595-1900.